Introduction

Project Basho is delighted to offer Faces and Places in Tuscany, a unique one-week workshop taught by veteran photographer Greg Miller, in the heart of Italy. Photographers reside in the hilly countryside of Tuscany where we will stay in the tiny village of Benabbio, a town of about 300 people, and live, eat, and photograph together in the intimate setting of the Villa San Rocco.

This is a unique opportunity to isolate yourself completely from the clamor of everyday life and indulge in your photography as a creative outlet–all with like-minded peers in a relaxing environment.

Experience

Led by Greg Miller, this one-week workshop allows you to work closely with peers and locals in the town of Benabbio, photographing the people and places that make Tuscany a truly unique destination.

Backdrop

The villa is a rustic setting for the workshop. With fresh-baked bread every morning, home-cooked lunch and dinner with local wine and ingredients, and incredible views of the misty hills surrounding the town, the residence is a truly magical place conducive to delving deep into your work.

The villa is located in the small and intimate hilltop village of Benabbio. Winding alleys, Medieval stone walls, and Tuscan natural light evoke a true connection to your environment and encourage you to explore every corner of town.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the larger city of Lucca and it’s local architecture and history while sampling some of the city’s delicious local cuisine.

Walking through Benabbio

Workshop

Faces & Places in Tuscany

Participants live and work together, pairing up with one another as subjects and using the scenic environment and natural light within the villa to explore the nuances of successful portraiture.

Each night you will have the opportunity to edit the work you made during the day, followed by a low-key critique where each participant’s work is shared and discussed. In addition to working within the Villa, we will meet local people and work outside in the village of Benabbio and take day trips to nearby Lucca.

Greg Miller

Instructor

Greg Miller, an American fine art photographer and Guggenheim Fellow, has photographed extensively in Italy for his project Primo Amore (First Love) which explores romantic Italian life through an outsider’s lens against the backdrop of Italian culture. Originally from Nashville, Miller moved to New York to earn his BFA from the School of Visual Arts. His focus on street style photography, portraiture, and found moments has earned him recognition from the country’s top publications such as TIME, Life and The New York Times. In 2008, he was awarded a photography fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. While still actively shooting, Greg is also a regular at the International Center of Photography in New York.

Location

Location

The Villa San Rocco & Benabbio

Both the workshop and accommodations will be offered at The Villa San Rocco. The renovated 17th century Baroque villa, built using only traditional materials, will offer rich textures for any inspiring photographer: the windows and doors of chestnut wood, the roof made of hand-made terracotta tiles, and the brass fittings fashioned by local artisans.

The Villa has eleven bedrooms, each with its own thematic décor. The large gathering hall known as the Gran Salone will serve as the workshop venue. The villa itself is situated in the pastoral village of Benabbio, up in the hills (adjacent to an olive grove) and through a winding narrow road from the spa town of Bagni di Lucca.

A street view of Benabbio

Upon arrival on the Sunday evening, participants will have an opportunity to taste the best of locally grown foods in the Benabbio area. To cap off the workshop, a formal dinner will be served on the Saturday night to celebrate the achievements and successes of the past week.

Lucca

Included in the workshop fee is a day trip to Lucca, the capital city of the province bearing the same name. There, you can apply your new-found knowledge and photographic techniques in the field as you encounter 1000-year-old structures in the ancient city-state, including the Cathedral of San Martino, the Guinigi Tower that can be climbed to see amazing views of Lucca from atop, and the famed Le Mura di Lucca, or Wall of Lucca, where people from all walks of life gather: from children to seniors, and from residents to tourists walk, jog, or bike. Once used as defense in times of war between feuding families, the wall, beautified by rows of century-old trees, is now a pedestrian promenade that offers exquisite views of the city and the surrounding suburbs.

Bicycling through Lucca

Bagni di Lucca

Since the 14th century, the commune was a popular destination because of its thermal springs known for its healing powers. In fact, Napoleon, during the French occupation, used Bagni di Lucca as his summer residence. The main village of Ponte Serraglio, nestled along the Sergio River in the Lima Valley, offers an ideal juxtaposition of mankind living harmoniously with the surrounding hills of the Apennine Mountains. The natural surroundings offers the dilettante photographer incomparable landscapes to shoot. In addition, colors come to life twice a week at the market in town offering an assortment of local fruits and vegetables.

Florence

It is here, in the province of Tuscany, in the central region of Italy that the Renaissance began, particularly in the city of Florence, nicknamed the “Athens of the Middle Ages.” As the capital city of Tuscany, Florence is filled with architectural wonders, including the Cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio, or the Piazza del duomo. You can witness the rebirth of the classical styles here: the ordered symmetrical designs, the ornate repetitive motifs, and the measured proportions. Aim your camera in any direction in this historical city and you are sure to capture the vitality of the human form within the richness of the past and the grandeur of the natural surroundings. Although a visit to Florence is not included in the workshop, you may plan to stay afterward and enjoy the city.

Florence

Details

Trip Details

Location
Benabbio, Italy

Date
October 22-29

Workshop/travel Fee
$3,650 (USD)

* Guests are welcome! The companion fee of $2,650 includes shared room, all meals, and field trips.

Fee includes
– Workshop (Monday – Saturday)
– Lodging (8 days, 7 nights) at the Villa San Rocco
– Day trip to the walled city of Lucca and Collodi
– All meals prepared at the Villa and with traditional meals at local restaurants
– Pick-up and drop-off at Florence Airport

* Lodging fee is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy at each accommodation is available for an additional $900.

* Fee does not include airfare to and from Florence, Italy.

A view from room, The Villa San Rocco

Number of travelers
Limited to 12 (minimum of 9)

Registration Deadline & DepositDeadline: July 1, 2017 We are still accepting signups until the workshop fills up!
$900 (Deposit is required to secure your seat)

Balance Due
After July 1st, remaining balance is due within 5 days of signing up.

Inquiries
215.238.0928
explore@projectbasho.org

A grove of olive trees, Benabbio

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

Reservations & Payments
A deposit as indicated on the Trip Details page is required in order to confirm your reservation for the trip. Final payment is due in full by August 1st, two months prior to the date of departure. Project Basho reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by the due date.

Refund Policy
All refund requests must be submitted in writing. Postmark or date of email will determine eligibility for a refund. Approved requests will be processed within 30 days.

-For withdrawals prior to July 1st, 2017, we will refund 100% of the travel fee.
– For withdrawals between July 1st – August 1st, 2017, Project Basho retains 50% of the travel fee.
– No refunds will be granted after August 1st under any circumstances.

A view through olive trees, Benabbio

Insurance
It will be required that you purchase trip insurance for this trip. Camera equipment, computers, and baggage are carried entirely at the owner’s risk. Project Basho shall have no responsibility for any lost, damaged, or delayed property or for any personal medical needs, accidents, injuries or illness. It is highly recommended that you carry on, rather than check, your camera equipment.

Itinerary Changes
The itinerary for your trip is subject to change without prior notification, however all participants will be notified of any changes that do occur.

Medical Waiver
All participants must be in good health. You must advise Project Basho of any health conditions that could pose a threat, physical conditions, or any other conditions that may require special attention at any point due to unforeseen circumstances. All participants are required to complete a “Waiver of Liability” form and submit it at the time of registration.

Alchemy Studio will also require each participant to sign a waiver of liability for Alchemy Studio. This will be sent out with a second packet of information once there is a commitment with payment.

Responsibility & Photography
To ensure a safe photographic experience, you are required to obey and observe local customs and to be considerate when photographing people or sensitive locations. We must remember that we are visitors and do not want to impose or make anyone uncomfortable at any time.